We can do the right thing to create positive change within ourselves and the world around us! I have created this blog with the intention of keeping you informed of news that is affecting humanity and nature throughout the world! There is no better time than the present to become a global participant and not just an innocent bystander. I have provided you with several websites to help empower yourself and a list of global organizations that you can choose from to make a difference.

June 5, 2014

written by Isabella Steger and Chester Yung in Hong Kong and Jenny W. Hsu in Taipei

Wednesday June 4, 2014

Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong rallied on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the 1989 crackdown on student protesters in Beijing, but political fractures between the city and mainland China were showing.

The annual candlelight vigil in the city is the biggest event globally marking the crackdown, and organizers were hoping the 25th anniversary would push the crowd above the 100,000 level it has hit in years past. Organizers put initial crowd estimates at 180,000 people, while police estimated that there were 99,500 participants. In Hong Kong there is almost always a wide disparity between police and organizer estimates at rallies.

From above the vigil, the park was a sea of candlelight, with people spilling out to the fringes. Call and responses echoed off nearby buildings. Videos were shown of Chinese activists thanking Hong Kong for holding the vigil.

"The Chinese communist regime cannot control everything," said Teng Biao, a prominent human-rights lawyer in China, who joined the vigil for the first time, drawing loud applause as he took the stage in Victoria Park. "I believe the truth of June 4 crackdown will be known in China one day. There are many people in the mainland who are working hard for this day."

Mr. Teng, a visiting scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said he saluted visitors from the mainland who attended the Hong Kong rally Wednesday night.

The Chinese government forbids mentions of the anniversary and in recent days has tightened security in Beijing, arrested activists and suspended some accounts on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo. Hong Kong is part of China but has its own legal system and retains some political autonomy, so the restrictions related to the anniversary on the mainland don't apply to the city.

But Hong Kong is increasingly divided over mainland China's political and economic influence in the former British colony.

Outside the main rally in Victoria Park on Wednesday, a new and controversial group set up a counterprotest. The pro-Beijing Voice of Loving Hong Kong said it would show a video that is critical of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democratic Movements of China, which organizes the Tiananmen rally, for not knowing the "full truth" of the event.

"The student leaders could have exaggerated the number of deaths, "said Patrick Ko, the group's chairman. "Beijing had to take inevitably extreme actions to restore social order and maintain social security."

An annual poll conducted by Hong Kong University released Tuesday found that fewer Hong Kongers support the 1989 protests, with 56% of those surveyed critical of the Chinese government's role in the crackdown, down from 63% last year and the lowest since 2008, when it was 49%. Still, 77% of Hong Kong residents under 30 supported the actions of the Tiananmen Square protesters, one percentage point below last year.

Another division was emerging between the rally's longtime organizers and young activists emboldened by a successful protest against a Beijing-imposed school curriculum.

Organizers of the vigil say that youth participation has swelled recently even though many of those attending were born after 1989. Students have become more politically active, and several were the leaders of large-scale protests in 2012 that led to the government shelving plans to implement patriotic classes in school curricula.

"The new generation in Hong Kong is turning more vocal, confrontational and diverse in expressing their views on June 4," said Dixon Sing, associate professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

An alternative vigil was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Kowloon, led by outspoken pro-democracy activist Wong Yuk-man, who quit the more radical People Power political party last year.

"We are organizing an event from a more local Hong Kong perspective," said Mr. Wong, who is critical of the Alliance for not fighting harder for democracy in Hong Kong. "Our rally is trying to give a new option to Hong Kong people who are tired of the Alliance and the vigil. We hope it marks a beginning of a new localization and democratic movement in Hong Kong."

Organizers said between 6,000 and 7,000 people joined the alternative vigil.

No comments:

About Me

I love to travel and get away from it all whether it's 1st class, 2nd class or 3rd class makes no difference to me. I simply love to visit new places and meet new people. I really enjoy extreme sports. I started blogging ten years ago and love to be able to express and share thoughts with others.
Most recently a Mortgage Professional prior to implosion. Earned a living in my previous career as an Institutional Equity Trader (sell side). I have a bachelor's degree in finance with special emphasis in economics.

Ready to Defend! Are you?

❤ May my heart be kind, my mind fierce and my spirit brave. ❤

Hello WORLD and welcome

Thank you for visiting. I will do my best to keep you posted to global news affecting humanity and this planet as we know it today. I will bring you global news Monday through Friday adding my insight along the way. In between the non-sense, I will pepper in a little humor, random stuff and inspiration for balance and I will use the weekend to feed your spirit.

Excludes Firewall servers...
Please do not change this code for a perfect fonctionality of your counter
alternative mediacounter

What does Capitalism mean to me?

I've been asked many times if I still track the stock market. My answer is a resounding yes. The stock market is in my blood. I'm still tracking the markets, still doing research and still following economic news. This is the one industry that is the heart of global productivity. It is essential in pumping the necessary oxygen (capital) to corporations that in turn hire employees who will in turn produce the products and services that we all use. Capitalism is a very very important element to humanity. It is what fuels dreams, self-reliance and individualism!

T.E.A.= TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY! I am an INDEPENDENT/CENTRIST Former Democrat for 20 years

BLOG ARCHIVE: 2007 to Present

Connect With Me At These Social Networking Sites ♥ Click The Pics Below And Add Me As A Friend ♥

RAISE YOUR VOICE!

We don't need money to make a difference, although it does help. However, each signature is a RAISED voice demanding change! This is our contribution to the World. By saying ENOUGH is ENOUGH, together we truly CAN and WILL make a difference! Please sign a petition and help spread the word... Thank you!

Carousel

My Amazon Affiliate Account has been terminated due to a new California TAX LAW just passed. I'm keeping this display to continue promoting Miyazaki's wonderful animation that I love very much! Thank you for your support. ♥